Vehicle having a lighting device with an elongate lighting unit

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a vehicle (1), particularly a motor vehicle, with at least one illuminating device having a longitudinally shaped illuminating fixture for creating a light strip along a defined line of the illuminating fixture, wherein a first section (2, 2′) of the illuminating fixture is arranged on the interior (3) of the vehicle (1) and a second section (4, 4′) of the illuminating fixture is arranged on the exterior (5) of the vehicle, the illuminating device is set up so as to create a similar light strip along a line of the first (2, 2′) and of the second section (4, 4′) of the illuminating fixture, and the light of the light strip created by the first section (2, 2′) of the illuminating fixture is radiated such that it is visible for an occupant located at a definable position on the interior of the vehicle (1), and the light of the light strip created by the second section (4, 4′) of the illuminating fixture is radiated such that it is visible from a definable position relative to and outside of the vehicle (1).

The present invention relates to a vehicle with at least oneilluminating device having at least one longitudinally shapedilluminating fixture.

Illuminating devices (light elements) are known from the prior art,which are installed on the interior of a vehicle as well as illuminatingdevices (light elements), which illuminate the exterior of a vehicle.The illuminating devices may, for example, comprise a longitudinallyshaped light conductor into which light can be fed.

Thus, DE 10 2009 039 556 A1 describes an illuminating system,particularly for the interior of a vehicle, comprising at least onelaterally emitting light conductor, which comprises a fiber bundle oflaterally emitting fibers, wherein the fiber bundle is arranged in atransparent plastic sheath all around, in which the laterally emittingfibers move opposite each other, at least in the axial direction. Theilluminating system should be particularly suitable for door panels,cockpit modules, consoles, seats, or the headliner of a vehicle.

DE 10 2009 042 112 A1 describes trim for a motor vehicle with a firstpartial profile and a second partial profile adjoining it, whichincludes a mounting compartment for an internal unit having an openingtoward the outside. With the trim, the inner unit may comprise alighting unit, for example a longitudinally shaped light conductor thatis fed by at least one LED and/or that is equipped withelectroluminescent film. The trim should particularly be suitable asexterior trim.

The subject matter of EP 2 565 687 A1 is an illuminating device forcreating a light strip along a specified line on a component, comprisinga longitudinally shaped light conductor for distributing light along theline, a coupling element for creating the light and for feeding the sameinto the light conductor, a fixed bearing device by means of which anarea of the light conductor is supported in position with respect to thecomponent in a fixed manner, and a floating bearing device by means ofwhich the coupling element is supported so as to move with respect tothe component along at least one direction.

And EP 2 565 688 A1 likewise describes an illuminating device forcreating a light strip along a specified line, wherein light from afirst light source can be distributed along a first section of the lineby means of a first light conductor up to an end area of same, and lightof a second light source can be distributed along a second section ofthe line by means of a second light conductor up to an end area of same,and, while doing so, the two end areas are arranged next to each otheralong the line.

The illuminating devices according to the two latter-mentioned documentsmay be provided, for example, around a closable opening of a motorvehicle or in a frame for a sunroof.

The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle,particularly a motor vehicle, with at least one illuminating device,with which previously unachievable advantages can be achieved.

Said object is achieved with the vehicle according to claim 1.Advantageous further embodiments of the invention are the subject matterof the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, isproposed having at least one illuminating device having a longitudinallyshaped illuminating fixture for creating a light strip along a specifiedline of the illuminating fixture. The vehicle is characterized in that afirst section of the illuminating fixture is arranged on the interior ofthe vehicle and a second section of the illuminating fixture is arrangedon the exterior of the vehicle, the illuminating device is set up so asto create a similar light strip along a line of the first and of thesecond section of the illuminating fixture, and the light of the lightstrip created by the first section of the illuminating fixture isradiated such that it is visible for an occupant located at a definableposition in the interior of the vehicle, and the light of the lightstrip created by the second section of the illuminating fixture isradiated such that it is visible from a definable position relative withrespect to and outside of the vehicle.

The present invention provides for a vehicle with a light strip thatilluminates in the same manner both on the interior of the vehicle aswell as on the exterior of the vehicle. Said light strip is visiblesimultaneously both to occupants of a vehicle as well as outside of thevehicle. In this manner, an optionally continuous and uninterruptedtransition can be created between the interior and exterior space of avehicle.

According to the invention, the similar light strip, which is created bythe first and the second section of the illuminating fixture, can beused in both an aesthetic as well as informative perspective, whereinboth usage purposes can also be implemented simultaneously.

According to a first advantageous further embodiment of the invention, aprovision is that the light strip have a definable light color, adefinable change of light color, a definable light intensity (luminousintensity), a definable change of light intensity, and/or a definablelight duration.

According to a second advantageous further embodiment of the invention,the illuminating device further has a control device for a user, bymeans of which the illuminating fixture can be switched on or switchedoff, and/or the light color, the change of light color, the lightintensity, the change of light intensity, and/or the light duration canbe set. In this manner, a user may, for example, switch the illuminatingfixture on or off or adjust the way and manner of the light stripcreated, in a targeted manner.

According to another advantageous further embodiment of the invention,the illuminating device further has a control unit, by means of whichthe illuminating fixture can be switched on or switched off as afunction of definable conditions, and/or the light color, the change oflight color, the light intensity, the change of light intensity, and/orthe light duration can be controlled. In this manner, the light stripcan be used, for example, in an advantageous manner for informationpurposes both for the occupants of a vehicle as well as for peopleand/or devices outside of the vehicle.

In doing so, it is advantageous when the control unit is set up so as tocontrol the illuminating device as a function of a recognizedmalfunction of the vehicle, a recognized incapacity or limited capacityof the driver, a condition of automated driving, and/or a definablerecognized traffic situation.

In an advantageous manner, the illuminating fixture with the vehicleaccording to the invention comprises at least one longitudinally shapedlight conductor, into which light can be fed. In doing so, one or morelight-emitting diodes can be provided as a light source with which lightcan be fed into the at least one longitudinally shaped light conductorof the illuminating fixture.

According to yet another advantageous further embodiment of theinvention, the first section and the second section of the illuminatingfixture each comprise a longitudinally shaped light conductor and atleast one place for light to be fed in is provided with the lightconductor of the first section and/or with the light conductor of thesecond section of the illuminating fixture.

While doing so, a provision may be according to the invention that thesecond section of the illuminating fixture be arranged fixed in locationin or on a component of the vehicle, wherein the component is movablefrom a first to a second position relative to the first section of theilluminating fixture, and, wherein, light fed into the light conductorof the first and/or second section can be introduced into the lightconductor of the respective other section, when the component is in thefirst position.

The component of the vehicle may be, for example, a vehicle door, ahood, an outside mirror, a liftgate/tailgate/hatch, and/or a trunk lid.

The present invention is explained in more detail in the following usingthe enclosed drawing.

The FIGURE schematically shows a partial sectional view of a vehicleaccording to the invention.

The representations in the FIGURE are purely schematic and not done trueto scale. Within the FIGURE, similar or equivalent elements have beengiven the same reference characters.

The exemplary embodiments explained in the following represent preferredembodiments of the present invention. The present invention is obviouslynot limited to these embodiments.

As shown purely schematically in the FIGURE, the vehicle 1 according tothe invention, which particularly may be a motor vehicle, has at leastone illuminating device with a longitudinally shaped illuminatingfixture for creating a light strip along a definable line of theilluminating fixture.

The vehicle 1 is characterized in that a first section 2, 2′ of theilluminating fixture is arranged on the interior 3 of the vehicle 1, anda second section 4, 4′ of the illuminating fixture is arranged on theexterior 5 of the vehicle 1. The illuminating device is set up so as tocreate a similar light strip along a line of the first 2, 2′ as well asthe second section 4, 4′ of the illuminating fixture. The light of thelight strip created by the first section 2, 2′ of the illuminatingfixture is radiated by the illuminating fixture such that it is visiblefor an occupant located at a definable position in the interior ofvehicle 1, and the light of the light strip created by the secondsection 4, 4′ of the illuminating fixture is radiated such that it isvisible from a definable position relative to and outside of the vehicle1.

Illuminating fixtures are shown in the FIGURE on the left and right sideof the vehicle 1 (however, with respect to the illuminating fixturesshown on the right-hand side of the FIGURE, adding of the correspondingreference characters has been omitted for reasons of clarity). Thevehicle according to the invention may obviously have one or moreilluminating fixtures with first 2, 2′ and second sections 4, 4′,wherein the illuminating fixture(s) may be arranged symmetrically orasymmetrically with respect to each other and/or in reference to theshape of the vehicle 1.

The type of illuminating device on the vehicle 1 according to theinvention and the illuminating fixture usable thereon is not limited,and therefore any suitable type of illuminating fixture can be used withwhich a light strip can be created.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the illuminatingfixture comprises at least one longitudinally shaped light conductor,into which light can be fed. The most varied types of longitudinallyshaped light conductors are known to one of ordinary skill in the artfrom the prior art, for example in the form of one or more fiber optics,glass light conductors, plastic fibers, plastic light conductors, in oron which interference sources are available, on which light that isdirected through the interior of the light conductor is diffracted orrefracted such that it exits laterally out of the light conductor.Essentially any longitudinally shaped light conductor that is currentlyknown or will be known in the future can be used for the presentinvention.

The type and manner that light is created for the light strip is alsonot subject to any limitation and thus any suitable type and manner oflight creation may be used for the present invention, for exampleincandescent bulbs, gas discharge lamps, fluorescent lamps,electroluminescence fixtures, etc. According to a preferred embodimentof the invention, one or more light-emitting diodes are provided aslight sources with which light can be fed into the at least onelongitudinally shaped light conductor of the illuminating fixture.Light-emitting diodes have a long service life and good energyefficiency; light-emitting diodes are known for practically allwavelength ranges of visible light; light-emitting diodes may bearranged in arrays (e.g. RGB LEDs) etc., such that light-emitting diodescurrently represent a preferred light source.

There are likewise no limitations for feeding light into the lightconductor, and any suitable positions as well as type and manner may beused for the feeding of light into the light conductor. In order toobtain a uniform radiation of light with a longitudinal light conductor,a provision may be, for example, that a light coupling point is providedalong the light conductor in definable intervals of, for example, 15 cm,20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, or 50 cm, at which, forexample, light is fed into the light conductor at a definable angle. Itis also possible to feed in light from the ends of a longitudinallyshaped light conductor into the light conductor.

When there is only limited installation space available or when, forexample, two longitudinal light conductors abut each other at theirends, it may be advantageous if no light is fed in from the ends of thelight conductor/light conductors. The feed-in of light from the ends ofthe light conductor normally requires an installation space extending inthe longitudinal direction of the light conductor, which, for example,may not be available in a vehicle depending on the installation locationand/or the length of the light conductor. And if two light conductorfixtures are to be abutting each other at their ends, a feed-in of thelight by means of the end or ends of a light conductor may cause avisible interruption in the light strip and thus a dark spot.

Because the light strip or strips created by the illuminating device ofthe vehicle 1 according to the invention may be used for aestheticand/or informative purposes, the illuminating device may be set up tocreate a light strip with a definable light color, a definable change inlight color, a definable light intensity, a definable change in thelight intensity, and/or a definable light duration.

As previously mentioned, a plurality of light-emitting diodes, forexample, may be provided, each of which creates light of differingwavelengths and wherein the light of the plurality of light-emittingdiodes can be fed into a light conductor. In this manner, differentcolors of the light strip can be created through individual activationof the respective light-emitting diodes, and mixed colors and colorchanges can also be created through a corresponding activation ofvarious light-emitting diodes; likewise, any sequence of a change in thelight color, the light intensity (luminous intensity), and/or the lightduration, etc. is possible by means of a corresponding activation (e.g.can be implemented through a corresponding programming of a controlunit).

In order to operate the illuminating device, the illuminating devicefurther may have, according to an advantageous further embodiment of theinvention, a control device (not shown in the FIGURE) for a user, bymeans of which the illuminating fixture can be switched on or switchedoff, and/or the light color, the change of light color, the lightintensity, the change of light intensity, and/or the light duration,etc. can be set.

The type of control device is not subject to any special limitations,and any suitable type of control device may be provided. For example, apushbutton, a lever, a touch-sensitive or proximity-sensitive surface(e.g. touchpad, screen) and/or a device with speech recognition may beprovided for switching the illuminating fixture on and off. Thus, in asimple case, a light strip can be switched on with a defined light colorand light intensity, for example, by means of activating a pushbutton ora lever, and the light strip can be switched back off by againactivating the pushbutton or lever or releasing the pushbutton or lever.

In order to adjust the type and manner as to how a light strip should becreated by the illuminating fixture as it is switched on, i.e. withwhich light color, which (optional) change in light color, which lightintensity, which (optional) change in light intensity, and/or whichlight duration, a graphic display may be provided, for example, as acomponent of the control device in the form of a screen on which theadjustment options and previously set/current settings may be displayedby means of a suitable computer program.

In order to adjust the illuminating fixture, any suitable human-machineinterface may be provided, for example in that the just mentioned screenis implemented so as to be contact-sensitive and/or proximity-sensitive,that a touchpad is provided, that a setting is provided by means of akeypad, a joystick, voice control, etc.

The settings undertaken by means of the control device may be stored ina suitable storage device (not shown in the FIGURE) and then createdwhen the illuminating fixture is switched on by means of a suitablecontrol unit in the light strip, in the predefined type and manner.Obviously, more than one type and manner of a light strip can be set andstored and created by means of corresponding control actions on thecontrol device by means of one of the stored light strips. In thismanner, various individual sequences/changes in light color, lightintensity, etc. of the light strip can be created, stored, and switchedon and off, for example.

Particularly when the light strip is also to be used for informativepurposes, the illuminating device may further have a control unit, bymeans of which the illuminating fixture can be switched on or switchedoff as a function of definable conditions, and/or the light color, thechange of light color, the light intensity, the change of lightintensity, and/or the light duration can be controlled.

For example, the control unit may control the illuminating device as afunction of a recognized malfunction of the vehicle 1, a recognizedincapacity or limited capacity of the driver, a condition of automateddriving, and/or a definable recognized traffic situation.

When there is a malfunction in the vehicle 1 (e.g. engine defect, tiredefect, consumables run dry) detected by means of a suitable sensordevice of the vehicle 1 that requires stopping of the vehicle 1, theilluminating fixture can be activated by the control device such that atype of light strip specific for the particular situation can be createdand radiated. Due to the fact that the light strip is created similarlyby both the first section 2, 2′ of the illuminating fixture as well asby the second section 4, 4′ of the illuminating fixture, both theoccupants of the vehicle 1 (for example the driver) as well as peopleand/or devices outside of the vehicle 1 are informed of the stopping ofthe vehicle 1 required due to the malfunction of the vehicle 1, in thesame manner.

Devices and methods are known from the prior art with which anincapacitated driver (for example unconscious, heart/circulatoryproblems) or driver with limited capacity (e.g. tiredness, lack ofconcentration) can be detected, and corresponding measures can beintroduced with the vehicle 1. Even in a case such as this, both theoccupants of the vehicle 1 as well as people and/or devices outside ofthe vehicle 1 can be informed of such a state of the driver and theexpected further movement sequence of the vehicle 1 by the presentinvention.

A further example of an advantageous application of the presentinvention is the condition of automated driving. During automateddriving, systems in the vehicle take over driving tasks from the driverfor a definable time and move the vehicle 1 completely automatically. Indoing so, according to the current legal situation, the driver must havethe possibility of resuming the driving tasks at any time orinterrupting automated driving at any time.

Examples of automated driving that are currently under developmentinclude automated parking, automated driving with moving traffic(traffic jam, stop and go), and automated driving in a convoy. It is tobe expected that automated driving in the future will comprise all areasof movement with a vehicle, for example automated driving along adefinable route.

Because the state of automated driving is not easily recognizable forpeople and/or devices outside of the vehicle 1 (there is a driver in thedriver's seat; the vehicle 1 is moving without any discernibleparticularities in traffic, etc.), it is advantageous when people and/ordevices outside of the vehicle 1 are informed of this state by means ofthe vehicle 1 according to the invention through a corresponding lightstrip on the vehicle 1.

Because, according to the invention, a similar light strip is created aswell by the first section 2, 2′ of the illuminating fixture, the driverand any other occupants of the vehicle 1 are also informed or remindedin an advantageous manner of the state of automated driving by means ofsaid light strip.

Special traffic situations and circumstances relevant to driving with avehicle 1 can already be detected today by means of suitable sensors onthe vehicle, for example slipperiness of the driving surface, rain, fog,traffic jams, speed, and distance to vehicles ahead, etc. As soon assuch type of traffic situation or such type of circumstance is detected,a corresponding light strip can be created by means of the illuminatingdevice provided on the vehicle 1 according to the invention through acontrol unit, with the light strip informing both the occupants of thevehicle 1 as well as people and/or devices outside of the vehicle 1 ofthe traffic situation and/or the conditions.

In a similar manner, the illuminating device provided with the vehicle 1according to the invention can be used when a relevant trafficsituation/condition is received by means of car-to-car communicationbetween vehicles or from an external device (for example, by analog ordigital radio waves, e.g. USW (ultra-short wave), DAB+, mobilecommunications, etc.).

The first section 2, 2′ and the second section 4, 4′ of the illuminatingfixture may be formed as a common, single-piece light conductor body.For example, this single-piece light conductor body may extend from thedashboard to the component partition through the A-column all the wayinto the A-column and be attached there at the exterior of the A-column.In an advantageous manner, a light strip is created by the lightconductor body that provides light up to the respective componentpartition. In this manner, a “connection” can be established between thetwo light locations (interior and exterior) in that the illuminatingfixture(s) of the illuminating device is/are implemented in anadvantageous manner such that it/they provide light up to a componentpartition that separates the interior and exterior compartment of thevehicle 1 from each other.

Another example is a case in which a single-piece light conductor bodyextends starting from a front area of the headliner (first section 2, 2′of the illuminating fixture) up to a headlight or a lamp on the vehicle1 (second section 4, 4′ of the illuminating fixture), wherein the lightconductor body extends through multiple component partitions.

With such an embodiment of the light conductor body, it may besufficient as a function of the length and the quality of the lightconductor body when, for example, one or more light coupling points areprovided in the first section 2, 2′ or the second section 4, 4′. Thelight fed into this light coupling point/these light coupling points isfurther routed within the light conductor, and light may be emitted fromthe light conductor at any point at which a light strip is to becreated.

Thus, it is possible, for example, for light to be directed from one ormore light coupling points with the second section 4, 4′ of theilluminating fixture, light to be directed from the exterior 5 of thevehicle 1 to the first section 2, 2′ of the illuminating fixture, andthus light to be directed into the interior of the vehicle 1; obviously,the reverse is also possible, i.e. for light to be directed from one ormore light coupling points with the first section 2, 2′ of theilluminating fixture, light to be directed to the second section 4, 4′of the illuminating fixture, and from there to be radiated into theexterior of vehicle 1.

If the length of the light conducting body and/or the quality thereof issuch that an at least approximately uniformly bright light strip cannotbe created with the first section 2, 2′ or with the second section 4, 4′over the definable line through one or more light coupling points withthe first section 2, 2′ or with the second section 4, 4′, then obviouslyone or more light coupling points can be provided with the first section2, 2′ and the second section 4, 4′.

With the vehicle 1 according to the invention, there may be a provision,in addition to a single-piece light conductor body, that the firstsection 2, 2′ and the second section 4, 4′ of the illuminating fixtureeach comprise a longitudinally shaped light conductor, and at least onelight coupling point be provided with the light conductor of the firstsection 2, 2′ and/or with the light conductor of the second section 4,4′ of the illuminating fixture.

Various configurations are possible when doing so. On one hand, thelongitudinally shaped light conductors of the first section 2, 2′ and ofthe second section 4. 4′ are arranged and set up with respect to eachother such that, for example, light that is emitted from one end of thelight conductor of the one section 2, 2′, 4, 4′ can be directed into thelight conductor of the other section 4, 4′, 2, 2′ in the longitudinaldirection, via an end face of the light conductor of the other section4, 4′, 2, 2′ aligned and set up in a suitable manner, (for example analignment of the two end faces with respect to each other that isparallel and at least partially superimposing, wherein the respectiveinterfaces of the light conductor are aligned vertically with respect tothe longitudinal sides of the light conductor). In a case such as this,it may be sufficient, for example, if only one of the light conductorshas one or more light coupling points into which the light is fed.

If the two sections, 2, 2′ and/or 4, 4′, of the illuminating fixtureeach have an independent longitudinally shaped light conductor body andsaid longitudinally shaped light conductor bodies are spatially arrangedand/or separated from each other by component boundaries such that theintroduction of light from one light conductor body into the other lightconductor body is not possible, the two light conductor connector bodiesmust have one or more light coupling points. In doing so, care must onlybe taken to ensure that a similar light strip is created by theilluminating device for the two longitudinally shaped light conductors.

A multi-piece light conductor body, i.e. a separate light conductor bodyboth in the first section 2, 2′ and also in the second section 4, 4′ ofthe illuminating fixture is then particularly advantageous when, as isprovided for according to an advantageous further embodiment of thevehicle 1 according to the invention, the second section 4, 4′ of theilluminating fixture is arranged fixed in position or on a component ofthe vehicle 1, wherein the component can be moved from a first into asecond position relative with respect to the first section 2, 2′ of theilluminating fixture. In doing so, the component of the vehicle 1 maybe, for example, a vehicle door 6, a hood 7, an outside mirror 8, aliftgate/tailgate/hatch, and/or a trunk lid.

For example, the illuminating fixture may extend starting from thedashboard or the center console of a vehicle 1 all the way into thehousing of an outside mirror 8. The housings for an outside mirror aregenerally mounted so as to move in order, for example, to enable theoutside mirror to fold in.

Other examples comprise cases in which the second section 4, 4′ of theilluminating fixture is arranged in/on a vehicle door 6, a hood 7, aliftgate/tailgate/hatch, and/or a trunk lid.

In doing so, as previously explained, a provision may be that light fedinto the light conductor of the first 2, 2′ and/or second 4, 4′ sectioncan be fed into the light conductor of the respective other section whenthe component is in the first position, i.e. opposite ends of therespective light conductors in the first position are arranged withrespect to each other such that light, which is emitting from the end ofa light conductor, can be fed into the end of the other light conductor.

If in such a case a provision is that light is only fed into one of thetwo light conductors, for example into the light conductor of the firstsection 2, 2′, a light strip only results with the second section 4, 4′of the illuminating fixture when the component is in the first position.Or vice versa when, for example, light is only fed into the lightconductor of the second section 4, 4′, a light strip only results withthe first section 2, 2′ of the illuminating fixture when the componentis in the first position.

Such type of embodiment may be used, for example, in an advantageousmanner to inform an occupant of the vehicle 1 as to whether, forexample, a vehicle door 6, a hood 7, a liftgate/tailgate/hatch, and/or atrunk lid is properly closed (i.e. is in a first position). If, forexample, light is only being fed into the light conductor of the secondsection 4, 4′, a light strip is only created with the first section 2,2′ of the illuminating fixture (which is perceivable by an occupant ofthe vehicle 1) when the corresponding component of the vehicle 1 is in adefinable first position, i.e. is properly closed in this case. With anoutside mirror 8, the proper and complete extension of the outsidemirror housing is indicated in that a light strip with the first section2, 2′ of the illuminating fixture is visible.

Of course, the invention also covers the reverse case, i.e. if light isonly being fed into the light conductor of the first section 2, 2′, alight strip with the second section 4, 4′ of the illuminating fixture(which is perceivable from a position relative to and outside of thevehicle 1) is then only created when the corresponding component of thevehicle 1 is in a definable first position. This then makes it possible,for example, to have an inspection of the proper position of thecorresponding component by a person or device from outside of thevehicle 1.

The light strip, which is perceivable from a position relative to andoutside of the vehicle 1, of the second section 4, 4′ of theilluminating fixture of the vehicle 1 according to the inventionobviously cannot only be seen by people outside of the vehicle 1, butalso detected and evaluated by corresponding devices from other vehiclesand/or equipment for traffic control/traffic inspection, vehicleinspection, etc. The corresponding devices, such as, for example, camerasystems with corresponding image evaluation software, are known to oneof ordinary skill in the art such that it is not necessary to discussthis in more detail in the present application at this time.

Obviously, the vehicle 1 according to the invention may have a pluralityof illuminating devices, with each having at least one longitudinallyshaped illuminating fixture according to the present invention. Thisenables light strips to be created at various points on the interior andexterior of the vehicle 1 with the vehicle 1 according to the invention.The light strips created by the various illuminating devices mayobviously be created so as to alternate, according to a definablechronological sequence, etc.

An illuminating device may obviously also have multiple illuminatingfixtures such that, for example, one or more light strips can be createdon the interior of a vehicle 1 and one or more light strips can becreated on the exterior 5 of the vehicle 1, for example, by means of anilluminating device. For example, a provision may be that eachlongitudinally shaped, optionally animated light strip can be created byone illuminating device for both headlights or for all turn signals ofthe vehicle 1, but only one corresponding light strip is created in theinterior of the vehicle 1.

The illuminating fixtures of the illuminating device may be installed atany suitable points on the interior (for example dashboard, instrumentpanel, center console, door lining, roof), or on the exterior 5 of thevehicle 1 (for example, front side, rear, side areas, roof area).

As previously explained in the description at the beginning,illuminating devices (light elements) are known from the prior art thatare installed on the interior of a vehicle 1, as well as thoseilluminating devices (light elements) that illuminate the exterior of avehicle 1.

A connection can be established between these two light types, in anovel manner, by means of the present invention. In order to establish a“connection” between the two light locations, the illuminating fixturesof the illuminating device are implemented in an advantageous mannersuch that they provide light up to a component partition that separatesthe interior and exterior compartment of the vehicle 1 from each other.In order to avoid dark points, there may be a provision such that theilluminating fixtures are not separated from each other by lightcoupling points.

In order to indicate warnings or intentions (e.g. turn signals), thelight (the light strip) may depict a continuous transition between theinterior and exterior space by means of animations that are controlledby programming.

Thus, a driver may, for example, first be made aware of a pedestrian(for example by means of a display on the screen, a heads-up display)and, due to the animation that goes from the interior all the way to theexterior (exterior 5) of the vehicle 1, the pedestrian may also bewarned.

In addition, information from the vehicle 1 may be transmitted and/orindicated to the environment by the present invention. This may beadvantageous, for example, for information or an information exchange ina phase of automated driving in order to transfer information opticallybetween vehicles or between occupants of vehicles.

1. A vehicle, comprising: an interior compartment; and an illuminatingdevice having a longitudinally shaped light strip that emits light inoperation along a specific line of the illuminating device, theilluminating device including at least a first section positioned withinthe interior compartment.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:an exterior surface; and the illuminating device including a secondsection positioned on the exterior surface.
 3. The vehicle of claim 2wherein the specific line of the illuminating device creates acontinuous transition between the interior compartment and the exteriorsurface.
 4. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising: a control devicecoupled to the illuminating device for a user to control a property ofthe illuminating device.
 5. The vehicle of claim 4 wherein the propertyis at least one of power, a light color, a change in light color, alight intensity, a change in light intensity and a light duration. 6.The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising: a control unit coupled to theilluminating device to control a property of the illuminating device inresponse to an input.
 7. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the propertyincludes at least one of a light color, a change in light color, a lightintensity, a change in light intensity and a light duration.
 8. Thevehicle of claim 6 wherein the input includes at least one of a vehiclemalfunction condition, a user incapacity condition, an automated drivingcondition and a traffic condition.
 9. A vehicle, comprising: an exteriorsurface; and an illuminating device having a longitudinally shaped lightstrip that emits light in operation along a specific line of theilluminating device, the illuminating device including at least a firstsection positioned on the exterior surface.
 10. The vehicle of claim 9further comprising: an interior compartment; and the illuminating deviceincluding a second section positioned within the interior compartment.11. The vehicle of claim 10 wherein the illuminating device is a singlepiece light conductor body.
 12. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein thesingle piece light conductor body extends through at least one vehiclecomponent partition between the interior compartment and the exteriorsurface.
 13. The vehicle of claim 10 wherein the first section comprisesa first single piece light conductor body and the second sectioncomprises a second single piece light conductor body coupled to thefirst single piece light conductor body.
 14. An illuminating device,comprising: a first section having a first longitudinally shaped lightstrip that includes a first plurality of lighting devices arranged inseries, the first section configured to be positioned on an interiorcompartment of a vehicle.
 15. The illuminating device of claim 14further comprising: a second section having a second longitudinallyshaped light strip that includes a second plurality of lighting devicesarranged in series, the second section configured to be positioned on anexterior surface of the vehicle.
 16. The illuminating device of claim 15wherein at least one of the first plurality of lighting devices arrangedin series and the second plurality of lighting devices arranged inseries includes a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in series.17. The illuminating device of claim 14 wherein the interior compartmentof the vehicle includes at least a headliner, a center console and adashboard, the first section of the illuminating device positioned on atleast one of the headliner, the center console and the dashboard. 18.The illuminating device of claim 15 wherein the exterior surface is oneof a mirror, a door, a trunk lid, a hood and a lift gate, the secondsection of the illuminating device positioned on at least one of themirror, the door, the trunk lid, the hood, and the lift gate.
 19. Theilluminating device of claim 15 wherein the exterior surface is moveablebetween a first position and a second position and light is fed into anend of the first section and into the second section when the exteriorsurface is in the first position.
 20. The illuminating device of claim19 wherein light is fed into only the first section when the exteriorsurface is in the second position.